NY awaits confirmation of probable swine flu cases

[leroydb 0]

NY awaits confirmation of probable swine flu cases

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090426/ap_on_re_us/us_swine_flu_states

NEW YORK – Students at a New York City high school could learn as early as Sunday if the flu that sickened them was the same strain of the human swine influenza that has killed people in Mexico.

Preliminary tests of samples taken from sick students' noses and throats confirmed that at least eight had a non-human strain of influenza type A, indicating probable cases of swine flu, city health officials said. The exact subtypes were still unknown, and the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention was conducting further tests.

So far, there have been at least 11 confirmed cases of swine flu in California, Texas and Kansas. Patients have ranged in age from 9 to over 50. At least two were hospitalized. All recovered or are recovering.

New York health officials said more than 100 students at the St. Francis Preparatory School, in Queens, recently began suffering a fever, sore throat and aches and pains. Some of their relatives also have been ill.

Some St. Francis students had recently traveled to Mexico, The New York Times and New York Post reported Sunday.

Workers were sanitizing the school as a precaution. But a class reunion featuring cocktails, dinner and dancing for hundreds of alumni from as far back as 1939 went on as scheduled Saturday.

Symptoms in the New York cases have been mild, said New York City Health Commissioner Thomas Frieden. But the illnesses have caused concern because of the outbreak in Mexico, where health officials say a strain of swine flu has killed up to 81 people and sickened more than 1,000.

The World Health Organization chief said Saturday that the strain has "pandemic potential," and it might be too late to contain a sudden outbreak.

If the CDC confirms that the New York students have swine flu, Frieden said he likely will recommend that the school remain closed Monday "out of an abundance of caution."

State infectious-diseases, epidemiology and disaster preparedness workers have been dispatched to monitor and respond to possible cases of the flu. Gov. David Paterson said 1,500 treatment courses of the antiviral Tamiflu had been sent to New York City.

The city health department has asked doctors to be extra vigilant and test patients who have flu symptoms and have traveled recently to California, Texas or Mexico.

Investigators also were testing children who fell ill at a day care center in the Bronx. Two families in Manhattan also have contacted the city, saying they had recently returned ill from Mexico with flu symptoms, Frieden said.

Frieden said New Yorkers having trouble breathing due to an undiagnosed respiratory illness should seek treatment but shouldn't become overly alarmed. Medical facilities near St. Francis Prep have already been flooded with people overreacting to the outbreak, he said.

Kansas health officials said Saturday that they had confirmed swine flu in a married couple living in the central part of the state after the husband visited Mexico. The couple, who live in Dickinson County, weren't hospitalized, and the state described their illnesses as mild.

"Fortunately, the man and woman understand the gravity of the situation and are very willing to isolate themselves," said Dr. Jason Eberhart-Phillips, the state health officer.

Swine flu is a respiratory disease of pigs caused by type A flu viruses, the CDC's Web site says. Human cases are uncommon but can occur in people who are around pigs. It also can be spread from person to person. Symptoms include a high fever, body aches, coughing, sore throat and respiratory congestion.

At least nine swine flu cases have been reported in California and Texas. The most recent California case, the state's seventh, was a 35-year-old woman from Imperial County who got sick in early April. She had no known contact with the others.

Health officials are concerned because people appear to have no immunity to the virus, a combination of bird, swine and human influenzas. The virus also presents itself like other swine flus, but none of the U.S. cases appear to involve direct contact with pigs, Eberhart-Phillips said.

___

Associated Press writer John Hanna contributed to this report from Topeka, Kan.

Leroy


..I knew I was an unwanted baby when I saw my bath toys were a toaster and a radio...

[1969912 0]

Looks like eight cases have been confirmed as swine flu. This coud be a very big deal.

"Once we got to the point where twenty/something's needed a place on the corner that changed the oil in their cars we were doomed . . ."
-NickDG

[masterblaster72 0]

I just canceled my vacation on account of the swine flu. Don't want to take any chances flying twice in one week when something like this is going around.

Be humble, ask questions, listen, learn, follow the golden rule, talk when necessary, and know when to shut the fuck up.

[hypsin 0]

We may not have immunity but it does respond to antivirals - I am not too worried.

[PLFKING 3]

NBC News stated this was a brand-new virus, but I seem to recall an earlier swine flu scare (maybe 15-20 years ago, or am I mistaken ?).


Don

"When in doubt I whip it out,
I got me a rock-and-roll band.
It's a free-for-all."

[hypsin 0]

Let the panic begin...

[quade 3]

Quote

We may not have immunity but it does respond to antivirals - I am not too worried.

If you're not worried, then you aren't paying attention.

This is going to be a big deal.

quade -
The World's Most Boring Skydiver

[pilotsR4pimps 0]

There always has to be a balance in nature. Humans have been living outside the laws of nature for way to long now. Viruses, diseases, natural disasters, and cataclysmic events are SUPPOSED to control population and ensure balance in the system. Not just all other species while humans run free and do what we want. I refuse to take any immunization, pill, or anything (and haven't for at least 10 years and I am NEVER, EVER SICK). The human body is fully capable of fighting off anything and if it cant then.............. lights out I guess. Healthy, active living, a diet rich in lean meats, tons of fruits and veggies, nuts, and seafood will protect you from pretty much anything. And maybe having a life and not working like a mindless drone 5 days a week will do it too. That’s the positive thinking side of it and the unneeded stress and anxieties that partner everything in a make believe society that in the very near future is going to have their worlds rocked.

[quade 3]

Quote

There always has to be a balance in nature. Humans have been living outside the laws of nature for way to long now. Viruses, diseases, natural disasters, and cataclysmic events are SUPPOSED to control population and ensure balance in the system. Not just all other species while humans run free and do what we want. I refuse to take any immunization, pill, or anything (and haven't for at least 10 years and I am NEVER, EVER SICK). The human body is fully capable of fighting off anything and if it cant then.............. lights out I guess. Healthy, active living, a diet rich in lean meats, tons of fruits and veggies, nuts, and seafood will protect you from pretty much anything. And maybe having a life and not working like a mindless drone 5 days a week will do it too. That’s the positive thinking side of it and the unneeded stress and anxieties that partner everything in a make believe society that in the very near future is going to have their worlds rocked.

The above message was brought to you by the National Bureau of Contradictions, Poppycock and Placebos.

Seriously, diet, and exercise are great, but absolutely will NOT protect you from " . . . pretty much anything."

quade -
The World's Most Boring Skydiver

[hypsin 0]

Quote

Seriously, diet, and exercise are great, but absolutely will NOT protect you from " . . . pretty much anything."

True.

But it will strengthen your immune system and give your body enough energy and resources to fight off minor diseases instead of stuffing ourselves full of drugs at the first sign of a slightest cough and further increasing virus/bacteria resistance to the existing meds...

[pilotsR4pimps 0]

that will be your little secret then. Diet, exercise and stress free living do protect you from things like flus and colds. Yes. More serious shit, then no. But thats the way it is. Humans have to stop protecting ourselves and our interests while everything else is naturally controlled. Read articles from Dr. Peter Hudson (Royal Society and lecturer on the ecology of infectious disease). We are slowly destroying ourselves and in the end will be undone by our own doing. We are creating these "super bugs". Like I said, I am NEVER sick. Ever. People need to stop taking all these medicines and vaccines for this and that and just let the body do it's thing. But people like the fast, convenient and stupid way out of things. I look forward to sitting back and watching the show.

[lawrocket 3]

Lifestyles were a bit healthier back in, oh, around 1918. People didn't have cushy office jobs where the could sit on their asses and download large quantities of porn while sucking down that Super Star cheeseburger super size meal.

Right around then the swine flu killed a few million.

I'd be willing to bet that the rate of survival of this virus exceeds those earlier pandemics of swine flu or bubonic plague.

p.s. Is there any way to discuss this without moving into Speaker's Corner territory?

My wife is hotter than your wife.

[billvon 2,384]

Four cases in San Diego so far. I'm not too worried (even though I currently have a flu.)

[LisaH 0]

Quote

Four cases in San Diego so far. I'm not too worried (even though I currently have a flu.)

ACK! Don't breath on us please.

Be yourself!
MooOOooOoo

[quade 3]

I see. So now we've gone from " . . . will protect you from pretty much anything," to just, " . . . things like flus and colds."

Well, that's a step in the right direction, but still wrong.

quade -
The World's Most Boring Skydiver

[billvon 2,384]

Great, now there's a confirmed case a few blocks from us. And I'm still sick.

[nerdgirl 0]

On the serious side: declaring it a public health emergency triggers (some) statutory actions and abilities: coordination among federal, state, county, and local public health laboratories on monitoring and detection; allows opening of Strategic National Stockpile for therapeutics, etc.

On a mixed serious and satirical note:
This strain of swine flu (that’s the apparent difference from the 1976 swine flu; there are a half-dozen, dozen or so deaths from swine flu every year in the US) appears to be targeting young, healthy people. Most influenzas target the very young, very old, or immuno-compromised, i.e., that’s where the highest mortality rates are observed.

The way that the 1918 “Spanish” influenza killed – that’s the one that killed 50M people and also killed healthy 18-35 yos – was by causing the immune system to go into metaphorical overdrive destroying throat and lung disuse. So, a healthy immune system *may* put folks at the most risk.

Therefore, to limit the risk of this H5N1 swine flu: eat poorly (no green vegetables, lots of processed foods and refined sugars), start smoking, and imbibe lots of alcohol (give your liver something else to work on).


Disclaimer: I am not a medical professional and nothing should be read as serious medical advice … not that most of you would listen anyway

/Marg

Act as if everything you do matters, while laughing at yourself for thinking anything you do matters.
Tibetan Buddhist saying

[Conundrum 1]

Quote

that will be your little secret then. Diet, exercise and stress free living do protect you from things like flus and colds. Yes. More serious shit, then no. But thats the way it is. Humans have to stop protecting ourselves and our interests while everything else is naturally controlled. Read articles from Dr. Peter Hudson (Royal Society and lecturer on the ecology of infectious disease). We are slowly destroying ourselves and in the end will be undone by our own doing. We are creating these "super bugs". Like I said, I am NEVER sick. Ever. People need to stop taking all these medicines and vaccines for this and that and just let the body do it's thing. But people like the fast, convenient and stupid way out of things. I look forward to sitting back and watching the show.

You do realize that the swine flu is more apt to kill people with healthy immune systems, right? Do a little research on something called Cytokine storm:

http://www.google.com/#hl=en&q=Cytokine+storm+&btnG=Google+Search&aq=f&oq=Cytokine+storm+&fp=aaV-kzfDWBk

[billeisele 122]

this is not surprising

an old man down the street told me, "pigs will fly if this guy gets elected"

well, 100 days later - swine flu

Give one city to the thugs so they can all live together. I vote for Chicago where they have strict gun laws.

[1969912 0]

Quote

this is not surprising

an old man down the street told me, "pigs will fly if this guy gets elected"

well, 100 days later - swine flu

"Once we got to the point where twenty/something's needed a place on the corner that changed the oil in their cars we were doomed . . ."
-NickDG

[BillyVance 34]

Quote

this is not surprising

an old man down the street told me, "pigs will fly if this guy gets elected"

well, 100 days later - swine flu

That could be a great joke for Jay Leno on the Tonight Show.

"Mediocre people don't like high achievers, and high achievers don't like mediocre people." - SIX TIME National Champion coach Nick Saban

[MikeJD 0]

I think it's serious and it needs to be contained, but am I worried it'll kill me? Nope - something will, but I reckon the chances are it won't be swine flu.

In general people are pretty hopeless at assessing personal risk (and I'm no exception). Panic over virus epidemics/ pandemics is a good example. Fear of terrorist attack is another.